Mercedes C-Class Review

The brand new 2008 Mercedes Benz C-Class is one of the most anticipated new cars in the small cars luxury segment. In local showrooms, it is in the midst of being launched.

I hear some people commented that it looks like a shrunk down S-Class. I certainly can agree with that, with some similar styling cues. It looks well composed, sporty and meaner than a BMW 3-Series. The C-Class has moved a little more upmarket.

What is similar too according to Mercedes Benz is that buyers can expect the same level of quality as found in their flagship S-Class series, which is a good thing. This means that, the quality do not get a toned down effect with even the basic models of C-Class. 3 key elements of major improvement with this latest incarnation in the C-Class lineup are bigger interior space, quieter cabin with better sound proofing, and a much more rigid chassis. It is reported to have high strength steel which makes up 70% of the body structure.

The marketing slogan they use for the C-Class is "Agility Control". Simply put, this car is better behaved over rough patches and bumps, giving you a smoother ride, much like the S-Class. This includes the selective damping system which automatically adjusts the suspension set-up in accordance with the condition of the road – giving you a consistently high level of driving enjoyment. As an option, you can specify the ADVANCED AGILITY* package with special sports mode which allows you to choose a particularly sporty suspension response or a distinctly comfortable one at the touch of a button.

You can choose between five different petrol engines for the new C-Class. The entry-level version comes in the guise of two 4-cylinder models with supercharger: The drive in the C 180 KOMPRESSOR and the more powerful C 200 KOMPRESSOR is provided by a 4-cylinder supercharged engine.

Thanks to a new engine management system and a modified piston profile, output and torque have been increased. For instance, the C 180 KOMPRESSOR delivers 156 hp and maximum torque of 230 Nm. The C 200 KOMPRESSOR produces a magnificent 184 hp and 250 Nm. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes just 9.9 and 8.8 seconds, with a top speed of 220 and 230 km/h respectively.

You can have the C-Class in either 5-speed or 7-speed automatic transmissions. Both are smooth to use, and have a manual overide mode should you choose to engage in more sporty driving. In the 7-speed transmission, seven forward gears constantly provide optimum engine speed and deliver virtually imperceptible gear changes.

When changing down, the 7G-TRONIC – unlike other automatic transmissions – delivers extra-fast mid-range sprints by skipping individual gears. By simply nudging the selector lever, you can also shift gear manually.

At least for the moment, it looks like Mercedes has got a winning ace on their hands. Compared to its immediate rival - the BMW 3 series, the C-Class seems to be the leader to beat.